GEORGE TOWN: The Kedah government will not reverse its ban on 4D outlets in the state even if it generated RM400mil in taxes a year, said its Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

"The gambling sector in 2021 only generated tax revenue amounting to RM400,000 in the state, even if it was RM400mil, I will ban these outlets. Thousands or millions, I won’t change my mind.

"I find them to be a bane to society as they have caused families to break apart or go into debt, and fathers to beat their wives and children," he said in a Facebook post on Thursday (Jan 4).

Muhammad Sanusi said he stood firm on his decision, adding that it was not a drastic decision as the call to ban these outlets had been made since November last 2021 and hoped that everyone would support his decision.

On Jan 1, he announced the end of operations for all gambling and lottery premises in Kedah when the state government decided not to renew their local business operating permits, which expired on Dec 31.

On the call by the Consumers’ Association of Kedah (CAKE) to monitor online gambling following the closure of such premises in Kedah, Mohd Sanusi said that was out of his jurisdiction.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy had said that the ban on all 4D outlets in Kedah would only lead to corruption and illegal betting activities.

"When a legal business becomes illegal, the operators of such illegal businesses would constantly attempt to bribe law enforcers.

"The act of corruption in the illegal gaming business is a worldwide problem. Thus, the impact of it may also be significant to our authorities," he added.

Sundramoorthy urged policymakers to see the criminological and sociological impact of outlawing a legal business that might bring about unwarranted consequences.